Newbie recovery question

[Kesh51]

Hi, I had a triple bypass just over 2 weeks ago, things are going okay apart from 2 problems.

The first is I've got some fluid on my lungs - have other folks had this?

And the second thing is a pain in the sole of my left foot.

I just wondered if this is normal..? Cheers

[Chappychap]

There's a temptation when you have a medical condition to ascribe everything to either the condition or its treatment. The pain in your foot may well be utterly unconnected, just a coincidence.

Fluid on the lungs is pretty common following bypass surgery, your lungs take a dreadful beating during the operation which is why there's so much emphasis on post operative breathing exercises. Stick with it and you'll be fine!

Good luck!

[Kesh51 in reply to Chappychap]

Thanks, that's very helpful. The doctor mentioned that it could be from them taking the vein for the graft from that left leg. I am doing my breathing exercises, so hope it all settles down soon. Now I'm on this forum, no doubt I will be posting other queries....its good to get advice from others in similar situations.

[Chappychap in reply to Kesh51]

I had a bypass in October 2018. As with everyone the recovery brought some challenges, and FULL recovery took quite a bit longer than the six to eight weeks that you sometimes see quoted.

However, looking back I'm convinced that the bypass operation was the best thing that could have happened. It pushed me to make a number of significant lifestyle changes (healthy eating, regular exercise, weight loss) and these as well as freedom from the symptoms of angina have been absolutely transformational.

I'd just assumed that I was feeling like most people my age were feeling, but what's now crystal clear is that wasn't true, and there is a far better life possible if you just use your bypass operation as the springboard to implementing a range of lifestyle improvements.

Grab the opportunity, I promise that you won't regret it!

[STUBAX]

I didn't have a bypass but did have a HA, afterwards I had a strange feeling in the balls of my feet, like I was permanently standing on scrunched up socks. Never did get an explanation for it but it gradually went away over time, may have been the medication 👍

[Reuben52 in reply to STUBAX]

Same again here. I had fluid on the lung for some time after my AVR and double bypass.

Breathing exercises and plenty of walking helped this clear up completely after a couple of months.

Keep at it!